Search

Agricultural NH(3) emissions affect air quality and influence the nitrogen cycle. In the subject study, NH(3) emissions from a broiler farm and the resulting atmospheric concentrations in the immediate vicinity during three growing cycles have been quantified. Additionally, vegetation along a transect in an adjacent woodland was analysed. The emissions were as high as 10 kg NH(3) h(-1) and the atmospheric concentrations ranged between 33 and 124 μg NH(3) m(-3) per week in the immediate vicinity. Measurements of the atmospheric concentrations over 7 weeks showed a substantial decline of mean concentrations (based on a 3-week average) from ∼13 to <3 μg NH(3) m(-3), at 45- and 415-m distance from the farm. Vegetation surveys showed that nitrophilous species flourished when they grew closest to the farm (their occurrence sank proportionately with distance). A clearly visible damage of pine trees was observed within 200 m of the farm; this illustrated the significant impact of NH(3) emissions from agricultural sources on the sensitive ecosystem.